6 Harrowing Amusement Park Accidents—And How to Avoid Them

Every year, thousands of people are injured — and a few die — on amusement rides in the United States. Although the majority of accidents occur because of improper use, many are the result of mechanical error — and a lack of oversight. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), eight states don't have state‐administered inspection programs for portable rides (like those found at local fairs and traveling carnivals); and eight states and the District of Columbia do not have state‐administered inspection programs for fixed‐site rides (think: Six Flags or Disney World).

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) estimates the chance of being killed on an amusement park ride is only 1 in 750 million. For comparison's sake, your risk of being struck by lightning is 1 in 960,000. However, in 2013, researchers studied CPSC information on kids taken to emergency rooms for amusement ride injuries. Their study examined fixed-site rides, such as those at major amusement parks, as well as mobile rides, which included rides at local carnivals, state fairs and shopping mall arcades. They found an average of 4,423 injuries each year.

Here are a few tips to keep your family safe and your day at the park fun.

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Don't assume a ride is safe.

A mechanical failure caused three girls — two sisters ages 6 and 10 and a 16-year-old — to plummet from a Ferris wheel at a Tennessee county fairon August 8, CNN reports. A basket overturned and dumped the occupants, who plummeted 35-40 feet. The 6-year-old suffered a traumatic brain injury. Some people are calling for greater accountability of the inspection process, Fox News reports. In Tennessee, inspections are performed by private contractors or other states' agents. Although not all parks or fair operators release their information, serious accidents on their attractions usually make the news — so take a look before you visit that county fair or local carnival.

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Skip it if a child is barely big enough.

This summer, Caleb Schwab died on a Kansas waterside billed as the world's tallest. The boy was thrown from Verruckt, a 168-foot-tall water slide, and decapitated. An official cause of death has not been announced. But reports show that the ride's harness hadn't been working properly: other guests shared stories of harnesses breaking or other harrowing experiences on the ride. Another concern is that riders in Verruckt's multi-person raft must be 54 inches tall (it's not known whether Caleb met the requirement) and the ride also used to have an age limit of 14. Caleb was only 10. Always know the restrictions of a ride, including the height and age limit.

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Check straps — and ensure lap bars are snug on kids.

On most rides, an attendant will check that everyone is securely latched in before the ride starts. But that doesn't mean that sometimes they come undone: In April, a father shared a video of the harrowing moment when his son's strap came undone in the middle of a roller coaster ride — and he held the child until the end. Double-check your safety gear yourself, and maintain a seated, still position. Also be sure that kids understand the rules. And keep in mind that lap bars only fit closely against the largest person in the seat, leaving small children room to slide around, Saferparks.org reminds parents. Hold onto them tight, or skip rides like this entirely.

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Keep an eye out for kids acting weird.

In 2014, one Kansas mom said her son suffered from a concussion after riding a roller coaster at Worlds of Fun. The 11-year-old reportedly hit his face and nose on the ride, which caused the trauma. Knowing the signs of a concussion or other potentially dangerous brain injury is crucial. Parents should bring their kids to a first aid station immediately if they start to vomit or have slurred speech, a bloody nose, numbness, a headache that won't go away, dizziness or extreme fatigue, according to the CDC.

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Securely tie down bouncy houses.

More injuries and deaths occur on inflatables — bounce houses and slides, for example — than any other amusement. At least 88% of injuries requiring a trip to the emergency room were children under age 14. Twelve deaths in inflatable amusements occurred between 2003 and 2013, the CPSC reports, and in March 2016, a 7-year-old girl died after the bouncy castle she was playing on blew away in strong winds in Essex, England. To keep kids safe, Ted Amberg, chief executive officer of Amberg Entertainment,told CNN that parents need to first keep an eye on the weather.

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Keep wandering little ones (and adults) out of restricted areas.

In August 2015, a special education teacher was struck and killed by the Raptor roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park. James A. Young II's cellphone had reportedly dropped and he attempted to retrieve it by jumping the fence into a restricted area, where he was struck and killed by one of the cars. Between 1994 and 2004, 22 people were killed on roller coasters in the United States because of rider or operator error or mechanical failure. (An additional 18 other people died from pre-existing medical conditions). It's common sense, but when something falls off the ride, inform a park employee.